Paul Lindley, double award winner at IoD Director of the Year

17 May 2017

Paul Lindley, founder and chairman of Ella’s Kitchen is celebrating a double win after taking home awards for ‘International Director of the Year’ and ‘Director of the Year (Medium Company) Turnover £10m-£99.99m’ at the IoD Director of the Year Awards for London and South East 2017.

Paul was presented with his awards, on Wednesday evening at the iconic 116 Pall Mall, by Ian Dewar, Managing Director of Ergonomic Solutions and Rob May, Managing Director of Ramsac.

Paul commented: “It is so humbling to be recognised with two such prestigious awards. It can be a challenging journey to morph from being a CEO and executive director in the company you founded to becoming Chairman and a non-executive following acquisition; supporting your successor CEO and executive team. We are all proud that together we have kept the operation of a growing, profitable, mission led and people centred business thriving. We hope this award shows Ella's Kitchen as a kite mark example of how collective leadership should be done.”

The awards, hosted by Television presenter Declan Curry, celebrate the exemplary leaders who are doing great work across London and the South East of England, rewarding individuals who display professionalism, diligence and creativity to inspire employees.

Alan Fitzwater, Director of Regional Engagement at the IoD said of the awards: “2017 saw a record number of entries made in the IoD South East & London awards, with over 500 businesses being initially considered for our 10 categories, the standard remains as high as ever. The award finalists represent the best of business across the South East, with SME’s, International businesses and start-ups all well-represented.”

Paul feels rightfully proud having faced down stiff competition from across many industries with Alan Fitzwater commenting on the nominees: “All are singularly tenacious, driven, innovative and successful, and all of them share the desire to promote good governance, deliver strong and collaborative leadership, a consideration for corporate social responsibility, and a recognition of the role the team plays in the businesses achievements. Our finalists are all Directors of high-performing businesses, and we recognise their successes in turning the wheels that drive the engine powering the South East business economy, and as inspirational champions of business.”

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About Paul Lindley

Paul Lindley is an award-winning British entrepreneur. In 2006 he founded innovative organic baby food brand Ella’s Kitchen, now the largest in the UK with sales of over £80m across 40 countries.

Paul also founded Paddy’s Bathroom in 2014, a brand of natural toiletries for children, as well as The Key is E, an initiative supporting African social impact entrepreneurs. In April 2017 he published his first book, Little Wins: The huge power of thinking like a toddler.

Our awards seek to shine a light on directors who have enhanced and driven their businesses forward. The contenders come from different organisations but all share similarities in leadership, expertise and personal dedication.

During this critical period of political change, we will need to see ingenuity and tenacity displayed by professional leaders. The vibrancy and diversity of the businesses here gives me cause to be hopeful of the strength of British industries. Over the coming years the IoD will continue to provide the necessary support and guidance to members, while seeking to put the business perspective to government as Brexit negotiations take place.